Research Proposal: Dementia Support in South Asian Countries

This research proposal explores the challenges faced by caregivers of dementia patients in South Asian countries. It highlights the increasing prevalence of dementia, the strain on healthcare systems, and the need for community-based and holistic approaches. The study will employ a qualitative methodology, utilizing secondary data and a positivism philosophy with a deductive approach. It aims to investigate the socio-cognitive shifts experienced by caregivers, the impact of caregiver burden, and the potential of technological interventions like the LAUGH and TACTILE projects to improve patient care and caregiver support. The proposal emphasizes the importance of partnerships between caregivers, public and private healthcare sectors to provide comprehensive support for individuals with dementia and their families, addressing the critical need for effective interventions in the face of an aging population and limited resources.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Dementia Support: The caregiver's socio-cognitive shift in the south-Asian countries
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Introduction
There has been gradual changes that has transformed the health and social related
services in various countries. During this rapid transformation, evolvement of non-
communicable diseases have considerably magnified which includes diseases like epilepsy,
stroke, dementia, cancer and many diseases that are much painful for human being (Lin & Ku,
2019). The main focal point of this research will be on the disease Dementia, as it has
highlighted a major concern with the increased rate of dementia among aged population.
Increased concern has taken place due to the lack of expert staffs, decreased facility services in
various demographic regions, lack of government help and provisions to the public health
services have neglected the increased rate in communicable diseases. The study in here, will
describe the approaches taken by South Asian health providers to cater to the needs of public
health. There should be establishment of partnership between caregivers and both public and
private health care sectors to provide community and holistic approach to the patients especially
suffering from dementia.
Literature Review
According to who.int, (2020), China has an increased ageing population, which has lead
to decrement in the life expectancy of the people residing there. It has been observed that
patients who have dementia are also suffering from “Neuropsychiatric behavior”, which means
the inability to do daily activities like bathing, walking and eating. The Stress Process Model has
been simplified and there has been surveys taken related to fluctuating hours of family caregivers
to provide services to their patients. Surveys was taken from National Cheng Kung University by
analyzing services provided by the caregivers. The results extracted from the survey was that the

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fluctuations of the caregivers were dependent on the increased disability of the patients, which
compelled more burden, stress, burnout among the caregivers as there was increased
services(Ludden et al.,2019).
In case of recommendation, certain holistic approaches must be taken so that they can
provide support to the caregivers. For example, projects like LAUGH project and TACTILE
dialogues, by which technological implementation has been implemented so that it can boost up
the adrenaline within the patients and keep them busy as well put a way to quick recovery of the
patients. The TACTILE and LAUGH project surrounds a design in which a pillow is developed,
to create connectivity between the patients and carers.
Rationale of the Study
According to “China’s Population Research Bureau”, the elderly support ratio will
decrease from 1.9 in 2010 to 1.3 in the year 2050. Dementia is a disease, which will go parallel
in case of ageing population in China and other Asian countries, and urgent steps must be taken.
Therefore, the rationale of the study will surround the topic of dementia, and burden faced by
care givers in providing them care. The research will also explore community based and holistic
approaches for reducing the burnout of caregivers, and explain various technological
implementation that will cure the dementia patients as well as create a good communication
among between patients and caregivers.
Methodology
The research will follow the qualitative approach, which will include secondary data
collection processes. Philosophy of the research will adhere to the positivism philosophy, as well
as adapting deductive approach (Vaismoradi et al., 2016). In case of representing the data,

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Boolean strategy will be used to select the secondary resources and presented through thematic
analysis (Ryan, 2018).
References
Lin, C. Y., Shih, P. Y., & Ku, L. J. E. (2019). Activities of daily living function and
neuropsychiatric symptoms of people with dementia and caregiver burden: The mediating
role of caregiving hours. Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, 81, 25-30.
Ludden, G. D., van Rompay, T. J., Niedderer, K., & Tournier, I. (2019). Environmental Design
for Dementia Care Towards more Meaningful Experiences through Design. Maturitas.
Ryan, G. (2018). Introduction to positivism, interpretivism and critical theory. Nurse
researcher, 25(4), 41-49.
Vaismoradi, M., Jones, J., Turunen, H., & Snelgrove, S. (2016). Theme development in
qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis.
who.int, (2020) Looming dementia epidemic in Asia. (2020). Retrieved 30 March 2020, from
https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/89/3/11-020311/en/